Equipment Distribution and Retail

The UK marine industry is served by an excellent supply chain of distributors, agents and retailers selling a plethora of marine equipment, from personal watersports kit, to marine electronic and electrical equipment, rope and mooring tackle, safety gear, lighting, boat accessories, interior furnishings, galley equipment and much more besides.

The British Marine Trades Association is the primary association for marine equipment distributors and retailers. It harnesses the talent and ambition of more than 390 businesses that provide a wide range of supply, support and specialist marine services. Key activities include networking opportunities, dinners and a prestigious annual awards event to highlight the achievements of its members.

Marine equipment distributors and retailer members of British Marine benefit from a wide range of benefits, including discounts to exhibit at the London and Southampton Boat Shows, assistance with export activity, access to market reports and networking opportunities.

By being an active part of British Marine I have a greater understanding of what is going on in the industry and am able to guide my businesses more effectively. Attendance at events has made it easy to meet a number of new customers.

Ian Cooke, Managing Director, C-Quip and Onward Trading

Group associations for this sector

British Marine with support of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) are offering two workshops (one full day followed by a one half day) for those people who have an active role in mentoring apprentices.

British Marine with support of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) are offering two workshops (one full day followed by a one half day) for those people who have an active role in mentoring apprentices.

British Marine with support of the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) are offering two workshops (one full day followed by a one half day) for those people who have an active role in mentoring apprentices.

Grow your Business and grow the skill you need by recruiting apprentices. Apprenticeships are the perfect way to boost productivity, support innovation and aid your company’s expansion. Apprentices learn the culture and unique needs of your business and there is considerable financial support in place to help both you and them.

The ICOMIA Environment Guide features clear and concise outlines of the latest environmental legislation affecting the EU, US, Asia and Australia plus international organisations such as IMO.
The Guide explains – in simple terms – what the legislation is; why it has been imposed; when it will take effect; who it may affect and how it may affect them – making it an invaluable tool for businesses, associations and organisations operating in the global recreational marine industry.
The Guide is FREE to British Marine members.

ICOMIA’s Half Year Trends Report provides a snapshot overview of the economic performance of national marine industries across the globe for the past 6 months - 1 July 2016 to 31 December 2016 - compared to the same period of the previous year - 1 July 2015 to 31 December 2015. Although no quantifiable data is gathered; the survey acts as a barometer to indicate recent economic trends in the global recreational boating industry as well as the general outlook for the coming year. This publication is an exclusive member benefit and is only available to full members of British Marine.

Marina Workboat Guidance - Guidance for Vessels operated as marina workboats within a marina, dock or similarly enclosed or partially enclosed premises, or for occasional trips in support of the operation of the business in those premises within the local area but not proceeding to sea.

British Marine have constant postings of vacancies from its 1600 members for jobs in the leisure marine industry. From Boat building, apprenticeships, boat fitting, brokerage, design, engineering and marina staff to watersports instructors, on board staff, shipwrights, sailing instructors and skippers.

British Marine is pleased to offer a full day of Social Media training in August. The day will be split into two sessions and delegates can either attend the morning or afternoon session or they can attend both.

A whole day’s comprehensive social media training and support package, giving you the tools to confidently and effectively grow your social media outreach against a planned strategy designed to help you meet your business objectives.

British Marine training is passionate about the development and progression of the UK marine industry. From career prospects to recruitment to training grants and training courses, we are here to assist and advise.

Grow your Business and grow the skill you need to do so. Apprenticeships are the perfect way to boost productivity, support innovation and aid your company’s expansion. Apprentices learn the culture and unique needs of your business and there is financial support in place to help both you and them.

British Marine is leading the way supporting groups of employers (trailblazers) in developing new Apprenticeship Standards and providing support to its members in implementing apprenticeship reforms mandated by the Government.

The Boat Safety Scheme, or BSS, is a public safety initiative owned by the Canal & River Trust and the Environment Agency. Its purpose is to help minimise the risk of boat fires, explosions, or pollution harming visitors to the inland waterways, the waterways' workforce and any other users.

Boating and Watersports Participation: British Marine is a founding and leading member of a consortium of marine organisations that funds and manages research measuring the state of participation in boating and watersports in the UK. Since 2002 this research has been conducted by Arkenford, a specialist market research agency, in close collaboration with British Marine’s Market Research and Statistics team, which leads the research on behalf of the consortium.

British Marine will represent its members and the wider marine industry to Government during the forthcoming Brexit negotiations and transition period and be on hand to keep members updated and to advise them on how their businesses may be affected.

British Marine conducts a survey bi-annually to measure current business performance and trends in the marine industry over the last six months and future expectations. The latest version of this report for the period November 2015 - June 2016 is now available to download.

British Marine Industry Trends Survey June 2015 to November 2015. British Marine conducts a survey bi-annually to measure current business performance and trends in the marine industry over the last six months and future expectations. The latest version of this report for the period June 2015 - November 2015 is now available to download.

Mediation is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and can be a time and cost efficient process for resolving disputes. British Marine has set up a mediation scheme to enable the easy resolution of disputes within the marine industry.

British Marine is keen to encourage training to its members and runs a Training Grant Scheme to increase the level of training offered to employees in the marine industry. This is a great member incentive which allows member companies to apply for grants towards the cost of relevant training courses.

Feedback from British Marine members has resulted in a British Marine careers campaign to go live in March 2016. Members are keen to promote the opportunities within their businesses and the marine industry as a whole and to attract the the best candidates.

British Marine endeavours to ensure that its members benefit from up-to-date information on services, developments, consultations, grants opportunities, technical, legal and tax changes and Boat Shows, to name just some of the many areas covered.

British Marine promotes boating participation by its On The Water initiative, environmentally friendly boating through The Green Blue and the benefits of buying from British Marine members through its Look for the Logo.

Engines and Equipment Research: As one of the key indicators of the strength of the industry, British Marine collates market data on the engines and equipment sector across a variety of market research reports.

The UK marine industry is served by an excellent supply chain of distributors, agents and retailers selling a plethora of marine equipment, from personal watersports kit, to marine electronic and electrical equipment, rope and mooring tackle, safety gear, lighting, boat accessories, interior furnishings, galley equipment and much more besides.

Export Guidance from British Marine on: How to reclaim foreign VAT, Export Control Licences, Press Advice for Exhibitors, The Jones Act, Incoterms and links to the ICOMIA Distributors Guide and Market Selection Index Tool.

We fund members with training grants to encourage continuous staff development, plus we are continually monitoring and signposting sources of funding which are readily available from Government departments including LEPs, MAS and Innovate UK.

British Marine is a member of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), which holds a consultative seat at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). ICOMIA has a representative who attends IMO meetings on our behalf and reports on issues which will potentially affect the leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industries.

British Marine create and facilitate attendance at numerous oversea marine shows and events for its members. The International Development team are constantly monitoring target countries and emerging markets for business opportunities and the potential in assisting and supporting our members in exhibiting overseas.

ISO publishes standards on a vast range of subjects, including small craft (under 24m by ISO/TC188) and large yachts (over 24m by ISO/TC8/SC12). British Marine represents the marine industry at each of these standards committees and the many working groups that fall under the control of the principal committees.

These industry infographics combine findings from across British Marine's industry economic, social and consumer market research to demonstrate the size, value and economic impact of the leisure marine economy in the UK's various English regions (based on former Regional Development Agency geographies).
These infographics cover the South West, South East, Greater London, East of England, West Midlands , East Midlands, North West, Yorkshire and the North East. They provide topline statistics on the number of marine enterprises, their turnover, gross valued added contribution, taxation, full-time equivalent employment, average employee earnings, as well as boat ownership and participation.

These industry infographics combine findings from across British Marine's industry economic, social and consumer market research to demonstrate the size, value and economic impact of the leisure marine economy in the UK's constituent countries and devolved administrations.
These infographics cover England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and provide topline statistics on the number of marine enterprises, their turnover, gross valued added contribution, taxation, full-time equivalent employment, average employee earnings, as well as boat ownership and participation.

British Marine’s Key Performance Indicators for the Leisure, Superyacht & Small Commercial Marine Industry report is a biennial report that uses aggregated data shared by our members, combined with internal knowledge of non-members involved in the marine industry, to provide a robust economic audit of the industry.

The British Marine Knowledge centre comprises of useful articles and information to help its members in the Marine industry concerning Technical Issues, Legal and Finance, Environmental and Facilities Issues, Training, Statistics and Market Research, International Development, Marketing, External Relations and Business Support.

Latest Technical News from the British Marine Technical Team as a benefit to their members. British Marine members are able to comment on current industry consultations. British Marine members come from around 4,200 businesses in today's UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine markets.

British Marine do all they can to support their Members with a range of Business Support Benefits and Services, these are delivered by our Commercial Partners and by working with other Members who offer relevant services.

Mediation is a process for resolving disputes. In mediation, parties are helped by an independent third party, the mediator, to reach an agreement with which they are happy and resolve their dispute. A good mediator is a skilled, experienced and imaginative problem solver who will be very much involved in the process of reaching a solution.

There are a number of British Marine member law firms, financial and commercial advisors that can help you. British Marine is the membership organisation for the leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine industry.

British Marine and its associations run a number of quality schemes for its members operating in different sectors. These schemes provide a benchmark for good practice and allow members to both benchmark themselves against their competitors but also to provide evidence to their customers that they are offering an independently checked and verified quality product.

The Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) is a trade-enabling European New Approach Directive which sets minimum requirements of a boat which guarantee its suitability for sale and use within the European Union.

Find out how British Marine supports the UK marine industry. British Marine members are able to comment on current industry consultations. British Marine members come from around 4,200 businesses in today's UK leisure, superyacht and small commercial marine markets. The turnover of those markets is worth £2.855 billion. Register to find out the latest news from the leisure marine industry.

The Green Blue project is an innovative environmental awareness programme founded by British Marine and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). Its primary purpose is to enable boat users, marine businesses and sailing clubs to reduce their impact on our coastal and inland waters.

British Marine Training can support your business by helping you to recruit staff on our online job portal, help you attract new talent through the British Marine careers campaign and offer you assistance on training advice and information.

This annual report commissioned by British Marine, Royal Yachting Association (RYA), Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), British Canoeing (BC) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) details participation and ownership for 12 boating activities in 2016 and reports trends over fourteen years. This report also includes return of wider water-based leisure activities. The full report provides more detailed trends since 2002 and results to a wider set of questions. This includes trends in demographics, frequency and home / abroad participation and location of residence, and also presents coastal/inland and seasonal activity, household boat ownership, charter/hire, and more.

British Marine is a member of several important business groups, that each bring together organisations from right across the UK to create a stronger voice to engage Government, regulators and Parliament for support and change. Our memberships include the Confederation of British Industries (CBI), Maritime UK, the Tourism Alliance and the Seabed User Development Group (SUDG).

The Showguide for the all new, five day London Boat Show is being developed and has lots of opportunities for exhibitors to enhance their entry in this valuable marketing tool. Read on to find out more and how to take advantage of this great offer.